“Why are there so many people here?”
Heads turned as the short echoed through the gathering point. When the adventurers saw that it was Pos, there were a few chuckles, some shaking of heads, but most just looked away. He could have sworn that some of them looked a little embarrassed, but no one answered him. Pos could do nothing but stroked his beard in puzzlement.
By now, Pos was considered a regular. This was nothing special. There are always some adventurers who, for whatever reason, always entered the same dungeon. These adventurers usually make a minor name for themselves as local experts, and almost every dungeon of note has them. With his Dungeon Technique and being the only person to have received a Dungeon Quest, there was no doubt that Pos was an expert of the Tomb of Ten Thousand Techniques. That was why when he appeared on the second floor of the dungeon, one thing stood out to him
There were more adventurers at the gathering point than normal.
Pos squinted, his eyes tracing the numurous clusters of adventurers, and wondered what was going on. Usually, only a handful of parties would be waiting as parties would be waiting in line to challenge the rooms once all their members had arrived. That was not the case today, so something must be going on. Pos noticed someone waving at him.
It was one of his party members, Fabiana the [Sage], and she was not alone. Pos walked to where his party had gathered and noticed that he was the last to arrive.
“What is going on here? Why is everyone just waiting here?” Pos immediately asked.
Fabiana, ever the sharp-tongue human, just shook her head. “Don’t worry about them. These idiots are being stupid.”
Pos understood the words but had no understanding of what any of that meant. It must had shown on his face because Bezal immediately explained further.
“The Adventurer Guild had heard about this. Adventurers are staying in the dungeons longer than usual, a few days at least, before leaving when they run out of supplies. The second floor gathering point is where they usually wait.”
“Wait for what?”
Bezal cleared his throat before answering. “They are hoping to get some Quests or Techniques.”
“What? Why would they think the dungeon would give them that if they stayed longer?” Pos asked.
“Because they are idiots!” Fabiana answered dismissively. “They think if they wait long enough, something must happen. Like when you delve a dungeon enough times, a rare drop will occur sooner or later.”
Pos blinked. Treating Dungeon Techniques and Quests like a rare drop? That’s…not a bad idea. Pos thought about it and realized the idea made a certain amount of sense. The idea of the dungeon core rewarding an adventurer for staying in the dungeon a long time wasn’t that out there; all adventurers had heard whispers of such things. About adventurers who grind a specific dungeon and got legendary items for their effort.
It explained the unusual crowd, though Pos could see a problem. “How does the dungeon core feel about this?”
“The Pantheon only knows. It’s not like anyone bothered to ask the dungeon how it feels about some squatters staying in its home.”
Pos turned to the adventurer who scoffed. He had never worked with Ferdinand Silverstring before, but the halfling adventurer came with a reputation. A great [Thief] who could disarmed any traps in a dungeon and a personality who could drive anyone mad. The mischievous glint in the halfling’s eyes told Pos he had more to say, but the [Thief] was keeping his peace for the moment. Pos thanked the Stones for that; halflings always got on his nerve.
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“Well, the dungeon core is going to do something about this. You should get them moving.” Pos told Bezal. As the most senior adventurer in Viaggia, Bezal had some pull with the local adventurers. However, Bezal shrugged.
“I do not have the authority to do that. It doesn't matter how the Guild feels about it; we can’t force adventurers to leave a dungeon.”
“The Guild has stopped adventurers from entering dungeons before,” Pos pointed out.
“Yes, and once inside, they are on their own. We won’t rescue them if they get in trouble, we can’t stop them from entering a floor beyond their abilities, and we won’t force them to exit the dungeon if they do not wish to.” Bezal countered.
“Besides,” Ferdinand winked, “if the adventurers are all bunched up on the second floor...it just means easier pickings for the dungeon.”
Pos frowned slightly, the implications was not lost on him. The adventurers were sitting ducks waiting here, and it was a matter of time before the dungeon send something to clear them out. The halfling was right, but Pos did not like the ease which he said it.
“So, what now?” Pos asked, already suspecting it wouldn't involve any conversation with the adventurers.
“We're going to follow the plan. What these adventurers wished to do has nothing to do with our quest.” Fabiana still had a one-track mind on the quest, which didn’t surprise Pos. However, Pos had his misgivings as he looked over the crowd of adventurers.
“They are going to die.”
Ferdinand chuckled. “Why? You want to stay behind to collect the spoils?” He gestured towards a shadowed alcove. “How about there? We’ll be shadows. Let the dungeon do its work, and we’ll pick up the spoils.”
Pos looked at Bezal. “Do we really need him?”
“Hey, no need to be rude,” Ferdinand grinned, a glint in his eye. “We are going to be the vultures, not the killers. Think of it as… quality control. The Guild don’t need stupid adventurers.”
Bezal sighed, his usual impassivity a stark contrast to Ferdinand's boisterous enthusiasm. “Pos, don’t get sidetracked. We are here for a reason, and it is not to save people who know what they are getting into.”
Pos shook his head, However, he kept his mouth shut. Honestly, he could see where Bezal was coming from, but that didn’t mean he was happy with it.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Everyone turned at the shout and Pos immediately saw what the commotion was about. There was a shield of magic covering the entrance of all three Rooms. A shield meant there was a party challenging the Room, and that the rest of the adventurers needed to wait their turn. However, it was impossible for all the three Rooms to be occupied.
“Did any party enter the middle room?” Bezal immediately shouted as he rushed to the entrances.
“No! No one entered.” Someone said.
“Bezal, my [Dangersense] is ringing.” Ferdinand warned, a tremor of madness in his cheerful voice. The air crackled, and the magical shields covering the entrances begun shimmering with an unnatural intensity. Pos felt a prickle of dread; this wasn't a standard thing, and things that were unusual usually meant danger in a dungeon.
“Everyone get ready. Something is wrong. Horde rules!” Bezal shouted.
Pos' hand instinctively went to the hilt of his axe as a tremor, almost imperceptible, ran through the gathering point. All the adventurers tensed, weapons drawn as they got into position. Positions that were based on their Class. [Knights] and [Shieldmen] took the front with warriors like Pos behind. Anyone who could do long range damage like [Archers] and [Mages] were behind the warriors, with [Healers] and [Priests] at the rear.
Horde rules, when adventurers had to face a horde of monsters. The Tomb of Ten Thousand Techniques was a Trick Dungeon, and had never shown any tendency for Horde tactics, but there was a first time for everything.
First time the dungeon was found.
First time the dungeon gave out a Dungeon Technique.
First time the dungeon issued a Dungeon Quest.
Pos secretly wondered why he was always here for the first time of something in this dungeon. He must be cursed!
The shimmering lights covering the entrances intensified, then fractured. Lines appeared in the shields, before breaking to reveal not just the room entrances, but a wave of noise. Terrifying noise. Pos heard numerous and bestial growls and cursed. He was right. Something was profoundly wrong.
The dungeon core was angry!
